Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an independent risk factor for increasing morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease, especially in diabetic patients. PAD can lead to intermittent claudication, ulceration, and more severely limb amputation. An early predictor and good health management can retard the progression of PAD and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.The study aimed to examine whether the spectrum analysis of radial pressure wave can predict PAD in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Radial pressure wave was measured by a piezoresistive sensor in 521 (Male: 299, Female: 222) Type 2 diabetic patients with PAD (n=103) and without PAD (n=418). For each patient, spectrum analysis of radial pressure wave was calculated and transformed into Fourier series coefficients Cn.The means of second (C2) harmonic of arterial pulse were significantly higher in patients with PAD (C2: 0.549±0.139) than in patients without PAD (C2:0.515±0.098, P<0.01respectively), while the means of fifth (C5) harmonic of arterial pulse were significantly lower in patients with PAD (C5: 0.124±0.039) than in patients without PAD (C5:0.133±0.04, P<0.05). Chi-square test proved there were associations between C2 and PAD (C2: P <0.05). The risks of PAD in patients with diabetes were raised by the increments of C2 (Odds ratio: 1.82, 95% C.I. 1.04-3.19, P<0.05). Multivariable regression analysis showed C2, C5, triglyceride, and duration of diabetes were associated with PAD(R=0.505, P<0.05 ). This report identified the second harmonics of radial pressure wave could be one of the important predictors for early diagnosis of PAD in type 2 diabetic patients.

Radial pulse spectrum may be a risk marker of peripheral artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes